Croatia skipper Kovac ponders retirement

Croatia captain Niko Kovac has confessed he is considering international retirement following his sideâ€™s elimination from EURO 2008.

The 36-year-old earned rave reviews for his tireless efforts as the defensive presence in a talented midfield during Croatiaâ€™s campaign, his performances often outshining those of the much-lauded Luka Modric.

But the Red Bull Salzburg man insisted he must make way for younger talents eventually, and revealed it is likely to be sooner rather than later.

"I'll give my decision a night's sleep to make it with a clear head but there are younger lads out there ready to take over," Kovac said.

"I said before the tournament I was more likely to retire after Euro 2008 than carry on and I haven't changed my mind."